GAUHATI HIGH COURT
K. LAHIRI, J.
Chandra Kanta Deka and others -Appellant
Versus
Hem Chandra Deka and others -Respondent
Second Appeal No. 167 of 1973
Decided On : 09-03-1978
LAND DISPUTE - POSSESSION - REVENUE RECEIPTS - EVIDENCE - INTERPRETATION - LIMITATION - C.P.C. O.20, R.5 - SUIT DISMISSED - APPEAL DISMISSED.
Fact of the Case:
Plaintiffs claimed ownership of a parcel of land, alleging that it was purchased jointly by their father and his brother, and that after partition, the land fell in their father's share. The defendants, sons of the brother, denied the plaintiffs' title and claimed possession. The trial court and appellate court found in favor of the defendants, holding that the plaintiffs failed to prove their title and possession.
Finding of the Court:
The High Court held that the lower courts did not err in considering the revenue receipts produced by the plaintiffs, and that the courts properly weighed the evidence and found the defendants' evidence to be more reliable. The court also held that the lower courts were not required to determine the issue of limitation, as the findings on title and possession were sufficient for the decision of the suit.
Issues: 1. Whether the lower courts erred in considering the revenue receipts produced by the plaintiffs. 2. Whether the lower courts erred in finding that the defendants had title and possession of the suit land. 3. Whether the lower courts erred in determining the issue of limitation.
Ratio Decidendi: 1. Revenue receipts are not ipso facto proof of actual possession of land. 2. The courts below have considered the revenue receipts of the plaintiffs as also the revenue receipts granted in favor of defendant No. 1. They took into consideration the effect of mutation, oral evidence in support of possession and then accepted the defence plea. 3. The determination of the issue of limitation was unnecessary, as the findings on title and possession were sufficient for the decision of the suit.
Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed.
JUDGEMENT:-TheappellantshavinglosthandsdownintheCourtsbelowhaveprojectedtheSecondappealagainsttheconcurrentfindingsoffactandlaw.Theplaintiffsaretheappellants.
2. The plaintiffs case, in short, is that Baneswar and Fuleswar, while living jointly, had purchased two parcels of land jointly - one in Mouza Shymbari and another in Mouza Dohi and had joint possession over the purchased land. After Baneswars death his son Asar Deka separated from his (Asars) uncle Fuleswar in the year 1935. There was a partition, in consequence whereof the parcel of land in Dohi Mouza fell in the share of Fuleswar (father of the present plaintiff) whereas Asar and his brothers got the land in Shymbari Mouza. The plaintiffs are the sons of Fuleswar and the defendants Nos. 1 to 3 are the sons of late Asar Deka. The suit land is in Dohi Mouza and measures 10 Bighas 1 Katha and 15 Lechas. According to the plaintiffs, the suit land had fallen in the share of Fuleswar who was in possession thereof since 1935. After Fuleswars death his sons (the present plaintiffs) paid land revenue in respect of the suit land. According to the plaintiffs, the suit land which had been mutated in the name of Baneswar, the elder brother of Fuleswar and the Karta of the family, continued to remain in ha name and notwithstanding the partition in the year 1935 it had been mutated in the name of Baneswars son, after the death of Baneswar and thereafter in the name of Hem Chandra, the defendant No. 1, after the death of Asar. As there had been no dispute between them, the plaintiffs in spite of the knowledge of the mutation in favour of Asar and Hem Chandra did not raise any objection to the mutation. However, on 7-4-1969, the defendant No. 1 sold a portion of the suit land (fully described in Schedule B of the plaint) to defendant No. 4. At this the plaintiffs protested. The defendants Nos. 1 to 3 denied the title of the plaintiffs in the suit land and hence the suit. Inter alia the plaintiffs prayed for permanent injunction restraining the defendants from transferring and/or occupying the suit land. Later, the plaint was amended and a special prayer was made on 28-1-1970 for khas possession of the land in suit.
3. The defendants case, in short, is that late Baneswar and Fuleswar were separated as far back as 50 years and thereafter that Baneswar was the true owner of the land he had mutation. Baneswars son late Asars name was mutated as he had title and possession over the land. In due course, the name of the defendant No. 1 Hem Chandra was mutated, being the heir and successor of late Asar. According to the defendants they were in possession and the defendant Hem Chandra had the right to dispose of the property and the disposal in favour of defendant No. 4, Dambrudhar was a valid transaction.
4. In fact, the crucial question before the Court was as to whether the suit land was the paternal property of the plaintiffs or the defendants and as to which of the parties was in physical possession of the suit land. As many as 7 issues were struck by the trial Court and they were all disposed of in favour of the defendants. The trial Court gave much importance to Issue No. 6, the crucial question, as to whether the suit land is the paternal property of defendants Nos. 1 to 3 and as to whether they were in possession of the same. Thereafter, the trial Court considered as to whether the defendant No. 1 had the authority to sell the suit land. Many other ancillary issues were determined, which are not at all pertinent to the question involved in the second appeal. However, it appears clear that the trial Court while determining the issue in question considered the evidence, oral as well as documentary, and their effect. The trial Court dismissed the suit and an appeal was taken. The appellate Court considered the merits of the case in details and did not find any reason to disturb the findings arrived at by the trial Court. Hence this appeal.
5. Mr. S.N. Medhi, the learned counsel app
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